Recovering from Sandy: Community Notes

Nov. 12, 2012

Boys and Girls Clubs help

From Connie S. Leonard, Development Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County: Hope that things are getting back to normal for you. After the storm, a Club in Montana contacted us to see how they could help and are making and selling bracelets to raise money to purchase grocery store gift cards to help our members and families restock their refrigerators after the power losses. More details and photos here: http://www.bgcmonmouth.org/apps/blog/post-hurricane-sandy-we-are-seeing-support

There will be an emergency meeting of the Highlands Board of Education at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 12, 2012 in the gym and action may be taken, Barbara Roberts, Assistant to the Business Administrator/Board Secretary, Highlands Board of Education, said in an email.

Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller, the Lakewood Township Committee, and the Trustees of the Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) have announced that information and a series of business assistance services have come from Governor Chris Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno through the offices of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) that will help in the recovery of New Jersey’s businesses.

To receive this information, businesses can attend either the meeting of the Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC), Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 4:30 p.m. or visit the offices of the LDC, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street, Lakewood.

Information for all services may be easily accessed through New Jersey's Business Action Center (BAC) by calling 1-866-534-7789 or through the state's business portal at www.newjerseybusiness.gov, the "one-stop" shop for business resources. Agents are also available to assist callers that speak Spanish.

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For further information about best practices in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, please visit www.ready.nj.gov for continual updates.

6:56 p.m. Belmar curfew lifted

Belmar has lifted its curfew WEST of B Street; effective immediately. Area east of B St. is still under curfew until 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Noon Saturday: Open for business

5:30 p.m. Friday: Limited visits for Sea Bright residents

Beginning 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, Sea Bright residents and business owners only will be permitted day access to Sea Bright. In order to ensure the continued security and protection of all Sea Bright properties, the only access into the Borough will be via the Rumson Bridge.

Sea Bright Police will be stationed at the bridge in order to inspect indentification of everyone attempting to enter the Borough. People will not be permitted to enter the borough without proof of Sea Bright Residency of other proof of relationship to a specific Sea Bright Property.

Contractors, inspectors and adjusters will only be permitted into the Borough if they are escorted by a Sea Bright resident or business owner. Contractors will be required to register with the Sea Bright police at the Rumson Bridge checkpoint.

Entry will cease at 3 p.m. and everyone must be out by 5 p.m.

4:25 p.m. Friday: NJNG submits Long Beach Island plan

Long Beach Island local officials met with New Jersey Natural Gas representatives. New Jersey Natural Gas has completed their assessment and has developed a plan to reinstate gas to homeowners.

This plan was accepted by local officials.

This plan allows gas to be reinstated by in sections of Long Beach Island one at a time.

Barring any unforeseen problems or interruptions, New Jersey Natural Gas has suggested that full gas service could be restored by Dec. 1.

This does not apply to residents of Holgate, which will be closed until further notice.

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3:30 p.m. Friday: Monmouth Chamber seeking ways to help

Greater Monmouth Chamber is seaking to help those still in difficult situations following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Reply to info@greatermonmouthchamber.com with specific requests and the chamber will try to match up those affected with resources. The Chamber office is also working diligently to return to normal operations.

12:25 p.m. Friday: Brick Twp. schools to open

The Brick Township Board of Education has announced that all schools are open starting the week of Nov. 12. In an effort to locate any students/families from the Brick Township School Community that have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Board Of Education is asking those people to contact Dr. Walter Uszenski, Superintendent of Brick Schools at 732-785-3000 ext. 1019.

The Board of Education is prepared to set up and provide transportation for those students who have been displaced and are residing locally in neighboring towns.

Dr. Uszenski is also advising any students/parents that are residing or seeking shelter in another district, to contact that particular Superintendent. You can find a list of Superintendents in the State of New Jersey at http://education.state.nj.us/directory/.

10:50 a.m. Friday: Church offers assistance

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has set up command centers in New Jersey for its Mormon Helping Hands program. Volunteers are available to assist residents affected by Hurricane Sandy cut fallen trees, remove drywall, insulation, flooring, furniture, appliances, etc. between November 10 and December 22, 2012. Priority will be given to senior citizens, first responders, and others with special needs. The volunteers work free of charge and provide the tools and equipment necessary to complete the work. To request assistance call: 347-709-0438.

4:30 p.m. Middletown curfew lifted

The curfew has been lifted for all of Middletown Township as of today. Please note an increased police presence will remain in areas most affected by Hurricane Sandy including Belford, Port Monmouth and Leonardo.

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4:25 p.m. Be cautious with contractors

The Long Beach Island Joint Emergency Operations Center reminds citizens that in the aftermath of Sandy, contractors of all kinds will invariably be coming to the area seeking to perform work. The department asks everyone to be careful when dealing with an unknown contractor.

It is recommended residents be sure the contractor is registered with the State of New Jersey by checking them through the Better Business Bureau (www.newjersey.bbb.org) and through the Department of Community Affairs (www.state.nj.us/dca/). Get a written and signed contract from the contractor before any work is performed.

Do not pay by cash or with a check written to “cash”, instead make the check out to the company name. DO NOT pay the entire amount up front, pay an agreed upon portion then pay in full when the work is completed.

4:10 p.m. $1 million donation from AT&T

AT&T today announced a $1 million contribution to a newly formed nonprofit organization founded by Gov. Chris Christie supporting relief and care efforts following last week’s storm.

The New Jersey contribution builds on the AT&T Foundation’s $250,000 grant to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund and $225,000 in grants to local nonprofits in the tri-state region providing immediate relief:

- $100,000 to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey

- $50,000 to the Food Bank for New York City

- $50,000 to Long Island Cares, Inc.

- $25,000 to the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross

2:40 p.m. Mandatory evacuation lifted in Middletown

The Middletown Emergency Management Office advises that the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted. Residents can return to the area. Residents with an “X” on any of their structures should call the Building Department at (732) 615-2104 for further information.

10:45 a.m. Vets Day services canceled in Toms River

Vets Day services canceled in Toms River. 20,737 out of power on township, according to township spokeswoman.

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2:10 p.m. Shelter From the Storm, Creating Hope and Building Resilience

A Trauma Relief session will be held at Unity by the Shore, 3508 Asbury Avenue, Neptune at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. All area residents involved with the impact of Hurricane Sandy are invited to attend.

The sessions are being offered by Dr. Carol Penn, with support from The Center for Mind Body Medicine to any and all area residents, individuals and families, affected by Hurricane Sandy. The purpose of these sessions is to help begin to heal from the emotional trauma in the aftermath of Sandy.

The sessions are designed to enhance each person's capacity for self awareness and self care. The sessions will provide an opportunity for open ended discussion in a safe environment. Participants will learn several scientifically validated, evidenced based techniques for self healing.

2:05 p.m. Croydon Hall Shelter Open

The Middletown Shelter at Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road is open. Residents are encouraged to come to the shelter for any reason. This includes residents who are located in the mandatory evacuation area and residents who don't have power. Residents with no means of transportation to the shelter can call 732-615-2000. The ability to provide transportation is weather dependent. Absolutely no pets are allowed in the shelter.

1:25 p.m. Bay Head feeding station

St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Bay Head is now a feeding station for the town. 7 am to 5 p.m., 7 days a week.

12:08 p.m. NJ gets funding for 1,000 temporary clean-up workers

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has provided emergency funding for New Jersey to hire approximately 1,000 temporary workers to assist with Superstorm Sandy clean-up activities.

Job-seekers should report to local One-Stop Career Centers. They also may send e-mails to sandyhelp@dol.state.nj.us, log onto www.Jobs4Jersey.com or call 1-877-682-6238 or 1-800-233-5005. Please be patient if lines are busy.

10:30 a.m. Displaced residents can get mail at different post offices

The U.S. Postal Service says it is working to get back into operation in its Toms River building. It has two mobile retail units in the parking lot to serve customers needing to purchase stamps and for PO Box customers.

The USPS is using alternate locations. Carriers are working out of the Lakewood facility on Swarthmore Avenue. Any Toms River customer who has a ZIP Code of 08753 and 08755 should go to the Lakewood facility to pick up mail that may have been put on hold; those customers will also use that location to pick up any letters or packages that require a signature.

Toms River customers with the 08757 ZIP Code are directed to the Holiday City Toms River facility to pick up hold mail and letters/packages requiring a signature.

Residents of Normandy Beach can pick up mail at the Beachwood Post Office.

Residents of Lavallette and Matoloking can pick up their mail at the Brick Post Office.

Residents of Normandy Beach, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park are still directed to the Beachwood Post Office to pick up mail.

Residents of Highlands and Sea Bright are directed to the Rumson Post Office.

Residents of Oceanport are directed to the Monmouth P&DC on Industrial Highway in Eatontown.

Residents of Barnegat Light can get their mail at the Manahawkin post office in Stafford. Residents of other Long Beach Island towns can get their mail through the Tuckerton post office at 139 E. Main St. (Route 9).

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5 a.m. How to find your pets

Monmouth County residents who fled their homes in the hours leading up to Sandy’s arrival last but were not able to bring along their pets are being urged to call the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for assistance.

“People who cannot get back to their homes and left pets behind should call 732-312-7153,” said Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief law enforcement officer for MCSPCA.

“We have rescue groups ready to go to the homes and deal with these issues,” Amato said.

6 p.m.: League of Municipalities cancels conference

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities has canceled its 97th annual conference, scheduled for Nov. 13, 14 and 15 in Atlantic City, due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy, the upcoming nor’easter and the public safety and health concerns in communities across the state, according to an announcement on the league’s web site.

The league’s board of directors made the decision after extensive discussions and consultation with the Gov. Christie’s administration, state legislators, representatives of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Atlantic City’s hospitality industry. Local elected and appointed officials need to remain in their communities to continue restoration and recovery efforts, the League said.